It’s playoff time, and you’ve treated yourself to a brand-new wall-mounting television with all the bells and whistles. Before you mount, consider these important factors.
Don’t put your TV above the fireplace. The heat and soot created by the fireplace may ruin your new TV. You wouldn’t leave your cell phone near an open flame and expect it work just fine, so why would your TV be any different? It’s not worth the risk. Find another spot on the wall.
Check the weight of the TV. If you’re going to mount something as heavy as a TV, using a stud is optimal. Mounting into drywall gives you more flexibility with placement, but less so with weight limit. A drywall mount likely won’t hold over 40 or 50 pounds. Mounting into a stud will handle 80 pounds, which accounts for most televisions under 60 inches. Always check and follow the recommended guidelines of the Video Electronics Standards Association (VESA).
A big TV can be a pain in the neck. Literally. Consider the height of the TV mount. If it’s above your natural sight line, TV viewing will likely create a lot of strain on your neck, spine and shoulders. Also, consider the size of the room in relation to the size of the TV. The larger the TV, the farther away you need to be for optimal viewing pleasure — possibly as far as 15 feet. Is your room large enough to accommodate that type of spacing?
TV stands come with their own set of pros and cons. The height is good for optimal viewing, but TV stands take up more space and can be a tipping hazard if you have pets or small children.
